Last year, there wasn’t much going on for National Day in Qatar. In fact, there were more decorations for Christmas than there were for Eid or ND. It was that issue that sparked a lot of complaints from Qataris asking why nothing has been done. It was with that, Qatar decided to do a huge event this year. There are other factors included as well. Look at the launch of the Museum of Islamic Art, The Media Expo, Qatar Media Freedom Center, the involvement in Philipines resolutions, advancement in Human Rights, and the launch of other huge developments for example. Qatar’s definately in the spotlight and Doha will continue to shine bright as long as changes keep happening.

Why are Qataris so proud? Well we haven’t had that much to be proud of for a long time. Our Emir has brought so much change and development to Qatar that there’s something to almost brag about. A typical Qatari will gladly sacrafice a lot for his country. Look at ILQ for example. The company was formed as a way of making Qatar a better place. The Emir has done so much to make our lives better, so why don’t we lift the burden off of his shoulders a bit and try to help?

So whether you’re Qatari, American, British, Indian, Philipino, Japanese, Chinese or any other of the many diverse nationalities on this small Earth, please celebrate National Day with us! Let happiness run through you like a rush of energy. With each firework that goes off on the 18th of December, smile. Let it represent the sound of the country’s heartbeat.

One common question I’m asked is how can your National Day be changed? Well it’s not an independence day, so it’s never changed. National Day is the day of the country and has been changed to reflect a major change in Qatar. A new direction. A new day.

Freedom of Expression

Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which the Qatari Government is a signatory of states:
Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any medias and regardless of any frontiers.

The Emiri Decision Number 86 of the year 2007 on the establishment of the Doha Free Information Centre marked yet another step towards establishing a State of rights and freedom of speech. The decision stipulated that the Centre be a non-profit organization, headquartered in Doha City, and have the authority to establish other affiliated centres inside and outside Qatar. It is worth mentioning that His Highness the Emir issued a decision in 1998 annulling the ministry of information, giving birth to a new era of freedom of speech where censorship was removed from local media.